Washington Week Show - # 4215
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Washington Week Show # 4215 - The Congress speaks on Iraq and the American public responds: Iraq Resolution, Labor Relations, and Battle for the Senate. Host Gwen Ifill, guests include Juliet Eilperin, Tom Friedman, Jeanne Cummings, Karen Tumulty.
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Opening sequence
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: President George W. Bush walks to podium on stage, Saddam Hussein seated with Iraqi officials, CU United Nations flag waving in the wind, pedestrians walking down busy sidewalk, labor strike (picketers), container ship (cargo), President George W. Bush shaking hands with Senator at event, supporters at Senator Sununu campaign event, Capitol Dome and Supreme Court building.
Washington Week Show - # 4215
DO NOT USE Commercials
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Gwen Ifill begins the show discussing the President s victory in securing Congressional votes to authorize use of military force in Iraq. Majority Leader Senator Tom Daschle speaking "I will vote to give the President the authority he needs, but I respect those who reach different conclusions. For me the deciding factor is my belief that a united Congress will help the President unite the world." Senator John McCain (R. Arizona) stating "There is no such thing as a Democrat or Republican war. We vote on this resolution in the same way brave young men and women in uniform will fight and die as a result of our vote, as Americans." The House is not as united as the Senate. Democrat (D. California) on House floor stating "There's absolutely no evidence that any thinking person could give that says we are in any danger from Saddam Hussein today. We're in more danger from the snipers running around in Prince Georges County that we can't find." House member (R. Texas) adds "The litany of crimes against humanity, Saddam Hussein has composed a scarlet chapter of terror. Our only responsible option is to confront this threat before Americans die." Juliet Eilperin lays out how Congress coalesced enough for the President to receive the support he needed, and what, if any, political blowback may come to certain politicians in Congress.
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Gwen Ifill says that while the President has gotten approval from Congress, there s still the matter of convincing the American public of this course of action. Tom Friedman takes point in this discussion as he has recently published a book that delves into the attitudes of people after the terrorist attacks. Basically, there is not an anti-war sentiment, but there is also no push to go to war in minds of the American public. People are more concerned about domestic issues.
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Gwen Ifill switches subjects to discuss the President s use of the Taft-Hartley Act to resolve a labor dispute. Jeanne Cummings discusses how this President seems very pro-business and anti-organized labor. In this case, though, the President did not want to use the Act. One, it usually doesn t work as anything more than a stopgap, and secondly, political repercussions in an election year (mid-term). The economics of the port work stoppage forced this decision.
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Gwen Ifill guides the discussion towards the policies of the President and their effects on the fall elections. Several tight races are being looked at as it pertains to control of the Senate. Karen Tumulty analyzes the current political landscape with regard to the close races around the country.
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Host Gwen Ifill signs off.
Washington Week Show - # 4215
Credits roll